Lighter



Feb. 28', 1933. R. E. BERTHOLD LIGHTER Filed Jan. 9, 1955 Patented Feb. 28, 1933 manca f UNITED STA-'ras PATENT'OFFICE RICHARD E. IBIF'IRIJTHOIJ),- OF RICHMOND BILL, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOB TO CARDINAL PBDDUUPS, .'JIHG., 0F NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION 0F NEW YORK LIGHTER Application led January 9, 1933. Serial No. 850,911.

This invention relates to lighters of a character adapted to the purpose of igniting cigarettes and the like, and my 'improvements are particularly directed to a device of this nature wherein the vapor from alcohol or other vaporizable iuid, in its absorption Iby platinum black, or similar catalytic substances, creates incandescence in a body or block thereof, whereb upon applying a cigarette endto said bod the cigarette, the resulting incandescence enables ignition of the cigarette to be eifected.-

rlhe lighter consists of a casing containing an absorbent which is charged w1th a vaporizable Huid (pure methanol alcohol giving excellent results), and -a block 'or body of y platinum black, spongy platinum, or the like, A

is disposed at the outer end of the casing, be-

ing suitably supported in positi''to collect 2@ the vapor, means also being rovide'd for creating a current of airthat w1ll assist the iiow of vapor to the-catalytic elemen IThe casing contains a removable holder, in which is fitted an annulus composed of a suitable substance, such for example as meerschaum, which forms a seat for a block of platinum black or other catalytic material that is suitably supported in the holder and has a convex surface Ywhich is exposed 3@ through the annulus and enables contact to be had therewith by a cigarette end, for ignition.

Also means are'provided for the admission of. air to the rear of the block 'of catalytic material, and a removable cap is adapted to iit the casing'for' the purposeof enclosing the block vof catalytic material, and the air 'admission means, when the lighter is not in use.

Other features and advantages of my in- 40 vention will hereinafter appear.

Figure 1 is an enlarged, sectional elevation of my improved lighter.

gig; 2 is a section on the line 2 2 of Fig. l, an v Fig. 3 is an elevation ofthe lighter, with parts broken away, the cover being removed.

In said figures let 1 indicate a tubular casing,- and 2 atubular insert or holder, which is adapted to-be removably, though snugly 50 aedyahin said casing, said-holder aand and drawing uponv the casing having co-acting means to limit the extent to which the holder can be inserted in the casing, and to localize the holder in the casing so that the upper portion of the holder may project a suitable distance beyond the casing. As an example of such limit-ing and localizing means the casing is shown as provided with a curved slot 3 that extends inwardly from the casing perimeter, and the holder 2 is provided with a projection 4 which is adapted to engage said slot in the manner of a .bayonet joint to eli'ect the localizing engagement. The outer end of the holder is knurled, as at 5, for firm En er grasp in the operation of turning the hol er, within the casing, while making and releasing the joint.

Thecasing is provided with an external, annular shoulder 6, anda cap 7, which `is adapted to snugly and telescopically slide .over the upper portion of said casing, findsthe casing.

The holder 2 is provided, at its outer end, with an inturned iiange 8, which may be angled, as shown, and an annulus 9, which may be composed of meerschaum, or other suitable substance or material that is capable of resistin the eects of heat, is placed with- I in the hol er and confined therein by contact of its outer surface with the iiange 8. The said outer surface of the annulus may be angled likeV the ange 8, to fit snugly thereagainst, but the lowerportion of the annulus is recessed, as at 10, for a purpose which will be described hereinafter.

premised, my invention comprehends the use of a block of catalytic material, such as platinum black, or spongy platinum, which I material I employ as an igniting element in the lighterin ,the form ofv a pelletfor tablet, so located and held at the open end ,of the holder that when such element is rendered incandescent bythe presence of alcoholic.

' vapor and atmospheric air, a cigarette or the 'been moulded under pressure and' given a convex contour at its outer -surface 12, where it is to be exposed thro the annulus 9, the shoulder 13 produced botylizhe recess 10 in the annulus, overhanging the outer peripheral edge portion of element 11 to confine the latter forwardly. The element 11 is provided with an aperture therethrough, here shown at 14 as located axially thereof.

Fitted within the holder, beneath the 4element 11, is a washer 15, having a relatively lar ntral opening 16 therethrough, and also fitted within the holder, beneath washer 15, is a disk 17, said washer and disk being in spaced relation, the extent of the spacing between said washer and disk being determined by a spacer of suitable thickness. The spacing elementhere shown is indicated atr18 and is com of'a piece of wire shaped like 'the letter The particular spacing is such as to provide a chamber of appro riate capacity, access by atmospheric air ing had thereto by holes 19 through the wall o'f the holder and communicating only with said chamber. v

It will be appreciated that the fit of the disk 17 within the holder must be suiciently snug so that said disk may form a rearward support for the other members contained between it and the flange 8.

The disk 17 is composed of meerschaum or other suitable substance or material which is suiciently porous to be permeable by vaporizable fluid. The washer may be of similar material.

Fitted within the holder 2, from its lower i end, is a piece of wicking 20 or other suitable absorbent material, a portion of said wicking projecting outside the holder and being adapted to be entered within the casing in the act of fitting the holder in the casing. It is intended that the exposed portion of the Wick-v in shall be dipped in alcohol or other suitab e vaporizable fluid, to become saturated therewith, before fitting the holder to the casing. A piece of absorbent material 21, at the bottom of he casing will serve to absorb any surplus fluid from wicking 20.

The wicking 20 is here shown as in cylindrical form, by tie strands 22, because, while said wicking is to be held permanently in the holder 2, the projecting portion of said wicking has to be removed, with the holder, from the casing, each time the wicking is to be saturated with vaporizable fluid, and it is desirable that the bulk of the wicking be confined to facilitate the act of re-insertmg it in the casing. A The incised tongues 23 1n the holder wall are bent into engagement with the wicking to retain the latter.I

VIn the ractical embodiment of 'm invention hereln described and illustratev certain im ortant considerationshave been observed an have resulted in the provision of these essential features (1) The saunas wi'cki is in Contact with the rmeable disk whic separates the igniting e ement from the fluid.

(2) A chamber of definite capacity sepa' sufficiently tight to prevent the entry of air and to permit the creation of a strong suction effect, in pulling off the cap, which draws the gaseous mixture against the i iting element, for absorption thereby, resulting in the igniting incandescence of said element.

This application is a continuation in part of my earlier application, Serial No. 620,795, filed July 5, 1932, for lighters.

Variations within the spirit and scope of my invention are equally comprehended by the foregoing disclosure.

I claim 1. A lighter comprising a casin adapted to contain vaporiza le fiuld, a hol er in said casing-and a lockof catalytic material supported by said holder in the path of Vapor from said fluid, a surface of said block being exposed for contact' witha cigarette or the like, said holder being provided with means for the admission of air to the opposite surface of said block.

2. A lighter comprising a casing adapted to contain vaporizable fluid, a holder in said casing and a block of catalytic material supported by said holder in the path of vapor from said fluid, a surface of said block being exposed for contact with a cigarette or the like, said holder being provided with means for the admission of air to the opposite sur-l face of said block, and removable closure means forv said casing adapted to cover said block and air admission means. .l

3. A lighter comprising a casin adapted to contain vaporiza le fluid, a hol er in said casing and a lock of catalytic material supported bysaid holder in the path of vapor from said vfluid, said block belng apertured and having a surface exposed for contact with a cigarette or the like, said holder being provided with means for the admission of air to the opposite surface of said block.

4. A lighter comprising a casing adapted to contain vaporizable fluid, a holder in said casing and a block of catalytic material supported by said holder in the path'of vapor from said fluid, said block being apertured and having a surface exposed for contact with a cigarette or the like, said holder being provided with means for the admission of air to the opposite surface of said block, and removable closure means for said casing adapted to cover said block and air vadmission means.

5. A lighter comprising a casing adapted to contain a vaporizable fluid, a holder'removably fitted in said casing, said holder having an inturned end flange, a block of catalytic material in said holder, an annlus of heat block, a disc resisting material disposed between said fiange and block, to constitute a forward seat for the latter, an apertured washer forming 'a rearward seat for said block, a disk of permeable material fitted in said holder in spaced relation to said washer, to form an intervening chamber between said block and disk, and air admission means for said chamber.

6. A lighter comprising a casing adapted to contain a vaporizable fluid, a holder removably fitted in said casing, said holder having an inturned end ilange, a blockof catalytic material in saidholder, an annulus of heat resisting material disposed between saidfiange and block, to constitute a forward seat for the latter, an apertured washer forming a rearward seat for said block, a disk of permeable material fitted in said holder in spaced relation to said washer, to form an intervening chamber between said blockand disk, air admission means for said chamber, and removable closure means for said casing adapted to ycover said block and air admission means.

7. A lighter comprising a casing adapted to contain-a vaporizable fiuid,@a holder removably fitted in said casing, said holder having an inturned end flange, an' apertured block -of catalytic material inl said holder, an annulus of heat resisting material disposed between 'said flange and block, to constitute a forward seat for the latter, an apertured washer forming aV of permeable material said holder in spaced relation to said washer, to form an intervening chamber between said block and disk, and air admission means for said chamber.

8. A lighter comprising a easing adapted to lcontain a vaporizable fluid, a holder removably fitted in said casing, said holder having an inturned end fiange, an apertnred block of catalytic material in said holder, an annulus of heat resisting material dis-l posed between said ange and block, to constitute a forward seat for the latter, an aperl tured washer, forming `a rearward seat for said block, a disk y(if-permeable material fitted insaid holder in spaced relation to said washer, to vform an intervening chamber between said block andv disk, air admission means for said chamber, and removable closure means for said casing adapted toecover said block and air admission means. i

9. A lighter com rising a casing and a holder removably holder at one end supporting a block of catalytic material which' presents an exposed surface, a permeable disk fitted in said holder, means fo` spacing said block and disk to form an intervening chamber, a

' an exposed surface,

rearward seat for said fitted in tting saidqcasinfg, said f length of absorbent material, to be saturated with a vaporizable fiuid, engaged in the other end of said holder, in contactin relation with said disk, a portion of said absorbent material projecting from said holder for lodgementjn said casing, and air-admission means for said chamber.

10. A lighter comprising a casing and a h lder removably fitting said casing, said helder at one end supporting a block of catalytic material which presents an exposed surface, a permeable disk fitted in said holder, means for spacing said block and disk to form an intervening chamber, a length of absorbent material, to be saturated with a vaporizable Huid, engaged in the other end of said holder, in contacting relation with said disk, a portion of said absorbent material projecting from said holder for lod ement in said casing, air admission means or said chamber, and Aremovable closure means for said casing adapted to cover said block and air admission means. v

11. A lighter comprising a casing and a holder removably fitting said casing, said holder at one end supporting an apertured block of catalytic materialwhich presents a permeable disk fitted in said holder, means `for spacing said block and disk to form an intervening chamber, a length of absorbent material, to be saturated with a vaporizable fluid, engaged in the other end of said holder, in Contactin relation with said disk, a portion of said absorbent material projecting from said holder for lodgement in said casing, and air admission means for said chamber.

12. A lighter comprising a casing and a holder removably fitting said casing, 'said holder at one end supporting an apertured block of`catalytic materialwhich presents 'an exposed surface,

a permeable disk fitted in said holder,means for spacing said block and disk to form an intervening chamber,` a length of vabsorbent material, to be saturated with a4 vaporizable fluid, engaged in Y the other en'd of said holder, in contacting relation with said disk, a portionl of'said abe sorbent material projecting from said holder for lodgement in said casing, air admission means for said chamber, and removable clo- A sure means for said casing adapted to cover said block and air admission means. l

New York, December 31st, 1932. P "a RICHARD E.A BERTHOLD. 

